A Guide to Various Hypnosis Techniques
There are many different methods of hypnosis which can be used to attempt to unlock the unconscious mind. All methods have their pros and cons, as well as being either more or less effective depending on what kind of a person they are being applied to. Here’s a look at some of the most popular methods of hypnosis. There are others, too, but this should give you a good starting point to learn more.
Conventional hypnosis focuses on giving straightforward, easy to follow directions to your unconscious. This technique is typically most effective for people who are inclined to follow orders and don’t question them. Conversely, it won’t be as effective with those who are more critical in nature, and think about things more analytically.
Ericksonian hypnosis is named for Dr. Wilson Erickson who pioneered this form of hypnotherapy in the 1960s. It does away with the traditional hypnotic directives, rather using stories to embed ideas into the unconscious. These stories, or metaphors, come in two varieties: isomorphic and embedded. The isomorphic variety makes use of a story that contains a moral related to the concern that the patient is receiving hypnosis for. An embedded metaphor involves a story or anecdote to distract the conscious mind while containing hidden, indirect suggestions likely to be accepted by the subconscious.
Ericksonian hypnosis also utilizes an approach known as “Process Instructions”. These are supposed to direct the unconscious to find an appropriate experience from the past and then use that experience to effect change in the present.
Next up is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which is different from other techniques in that it doesn’t make use of subliminal suggestions. Instead, it takes the thought processes that are causing the problem and turns them around to address the problem. Common NLP techniques include anchoring, which involves invoking positive past memories in order to apply them to present day problems. When evoking those positive feelings, one uses a gesture, like pressing 2 fingers together. Subsequently, whenever this move is performed, it becomes an anchor or touchstone for those feelings that can then be applied to vexing problems.
Another NLP method is known as the Flash. This seeks to switch things around in the unconscious. The result is that the brain can be retrained to view circumstances that used to bring on stress with a relaxed attitude instead.
Modifying conditioned responses is another thing the Flash is good at. For instance, perhaps reading the daily paper triggers a smoker to light up every time. Unconsciously, the smoker pairs the two behaviors together so that each time they start to read their daily newspaper, they get a yen for a cigarette. The Flash technique aims to disassociate these two behaviors from one another so that reaching for the newspaper does NOT automatically trigger a desire for a cigarette.
Both Ericksonian hypnosis and NLP hypnosis have a lot of critics in the scientific community. A number of specialists refuse to acknowledge that Dr. Erickson’s method is even a form of hypnosis, since it bears little resemblance to conventional hypnosis. With regard to NLP, there isn’t enough empirical evidence that it works to make it widely accepted. Regardless, it has become a favorite approach of many hypnotherapists, and enjoys considerable popularity among specialists in life coaching and management training.
self hypnosis techniques are a powerful tool that you can use to overcome various problems in your life. And it’s easier than you might think to Learn Hypnosis.